[StBernard] St. Bernard Proud

[Westley Annis]

Chad, I will disagree with you here. St. Bernard Parish is NOT A LOSING
CAUSE--regardless of being thrown to the wolves by the FEDs, State and
people in power who don't give a fraze, nor people who have forgotten it's
fight with will to survive.\

I believe that the parish will rise at the growth it can, considering the
circumstances of a card hand in which it was dealt. The people of St.
Bernard (no matter where they now reside) have such fortitude and
determination to see it succeed to at least recovery and beyond that.
There's no question about it. It's people are unique and courageous. 

The next election will determine where its real future lies. Good leadership
needs to step up to lead/continue to lead those who made the choice to
rebuild. I don't know where St. Tammany is (smile), but I see it did take in
a considerable amount of parishioners. I also believe that misplacements for
those who have made a hard choice (whether it was for safety or emotional
health, especially in the oil spill area) has St. Bernard citizens spreading
the word, culture and memories of fabulous years. That's the way I see it. 

In the vein of Islenos leaving their island a couple centuries ago to settle
in St. Bernard, was as history reports is and WAS a good thing. As a result
of its people being separated, there is a culture spanning the oceans. St.
Bernard Parish even reached out to celebrate its culture yearly (and daily)
in St. Bernard and with that said, might I add that visits to the islands by
both native Islenos and locals here 

If we look positively here, many St. Bernardians have colonized areas from
miles to hundreds of miles beyond its border. Any other logic is flawed and
inexcusable. St. Bernardians now, St. Bernardians forever no matter where
they live and it's a damn lie to believe one has to have a border to be
called St. Bernardian. When my father arrived from Sicily he didn't stop
bleeding "Sicilian" when he was cut. Now and forever, one from a culture
will carry that culture a lifetime. If you don't believe me, check out the
African-American, Cajuns, Polish, whatever and how their belief in culture
preservation can be as strong as bridge cable in cohesiveness. 

Remember, Chad: There is NO perfect St. Bernardian regardless of his/her
geographical placement or domicile. Pride however for one's love of
identity, makes the imperfection better as medicine for an illness treats
one's infirmary.

--jer--

For more info about the Islenos, visit:

http://www.losislenos.org

-----------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the comments, I agree with you 100% I am fighting a lost cause,
we have people who seem to want no part of St. Bernard with their negative
attitudes but when you tell them the way it is for people living down here
they question how long you have been a resident, then when they find out you
have been longer than they have they ask why you want to bring that up.  Its
funny, St. Bernard is different but the new place they moved is perfect and
they know everybody and everything.  Trust me most of these people will be
back eventually because why else would they be spending time talking about
St. Bernard.  Maybe Westley can start a St. Tammany list for them, I am sure
they have negative things to say about St. Tammany as well :-).
 
Thanks again, I think I will give up the fight, let them talk and report the
positives I see daily in my hometown, the only place I ever want to live
regardless of how hard things are, ST. BERNARD PARISH, LA.
 
Chad